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Tribe recalls Morgan to bolster outfield depth

4/8/14: Nyjer Morgan rips a ground ball to right field, scoring David Murphy to increase the Indians' lead

By Stephen Ellsesser
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Special to MLB.com |

CLEVELAND -- Tony Plush is back in Cleveland.

After starting center fielder Michael Bourn left Saturday's game with tightness in his left hamstring, the Indians called up Nyjer Morgan from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday to give the team more depth.

Reliever Nick Hagadone -- summoned Saturday when Elliot Johnson was designated for assignment -- was officially optioned to Triple-A Columbus, although he remained in Cleveland.

The ninth arm in the Tribe's bullpen, Hagadone arrived in Cleveland on Saturday, but he didn't dress.

"I talked to Hags, he was probably going to be here three days, anyway," Tribe manager Terry Francona said. "We were going to carry an extra bullpen arm, but now we get Nyjer up here, and it really helps."

Morgan did not speak to the media before Sunday's game. He started in center field and took Bourn's place atop the Indians' batting order.

Morgan began the season as Cleveland's starting center fielder while Bourn recovered from an injury to his left hamstring. Morgan was batting .348 (8-for-23) in nine games entering play Sunday.

"I know it's not ideal for [Morgan] getting sent down," Francona said. "Sometimes as an organization, you almost have to have some guys like that have options. It may be up and down for him. We don't know, but it's nice to have a guy like him.

"[Morgan] did everything we asked. That's what we told him when we sent him down, and that's why he's back. The conversation doesn't change when you send someone down. You tell them the truth."

The Indians will have further roster moves in the coming days. Yan Gomes was put on the paternity list Saturday, and the maximum stay there is three days.

Meanwhile, Cleveland will also need to create a roster spot to call up Josh Tomlin to make Tuesday's start against the Twins.

Stephen Ellsesser is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.